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By Greg Williams
Pennsylvania Director of Scouting

The summer rush of PBR events in Pennsylvania continued last week with the 2017 Western PA Top Prospect Games on July 18 and 19. 55 prospects from across the state gathered for two days of nine inning games and showcase activities at the Iron Horse Sports Complex in Windber, PA. Today we continue our analysis of the prospects in attendance by taking a look at those that participated as pitcher onlys as a member of Team PBR.

** NOTE: measurables were not collected for members of Team PBR with the exception of pitchers in game action and catchers pop times during a defensive workout on day two of the event.

team pbr (Pitcher Onlys)

TOP PROSPECTs

Joey Craska, 2020, RHP, Mars Area HS
5-foot-11, 150-pounder has a quick arm and plenty of time to add to his currently undersized frame. Sat 81-83 from a high 3/4 arm slot with an athletic, fluid delivery with some arm-side run to his fastball.  Curveball has tight 11/5 rotation at 63-65 and will continue to get better as it is thrown harder.  Changeup was thrown with near fastball arm speed at 73-74. Currently works solely out of the stretch.  Displayed an ability to command fastball to both sides of the plate and was willing to work inner half even when behind in counts.  Also showed confidence in all three pitches.

Alex Mykut, 2018, RHP, Huntingdon Area HS
6-foot-4, 215-pound uncommitted right-hander has made a name for himself with two impressive performances at PBR events this summer. After sitting 82-85 at the Eastern PA Top Prospect Games in June, he followed that up by sitting 86-88 on this date.  Displayed good tempo and repeatable mechanics with the potential to continue adding velocity. Curveball showed one plane action at 70-73 and he also showcased an occasional changeup at 70-71.  Mykut worked three innings allowing four hits while striking out four.  He showed solid command not allowing a walk and got six outs via ground balls.  

Remainder of Roster: (in alphabetical order)

Troy Emert, 2019, RHP, Rockwood Area HS
5-foot-9, 170-pounder sat 80-82 from a high 3/4 arm slot during his three innings of work.  Displayed very good command consistently pounding the lower third of the strike zone.  Curveball showed 11/5 shape at 65-66 and changeup at 70-71 was an effective third offering.  Allowed three hits while striking out one and induced six ground ball outs.

Kyle Laing, 2018, RHP, Downingtown West HS
6-foot-1, 180-pounder worked from an arm slot between high 3/4 and over the top.  Sat 79-84, with late life to his fastball at the upper velocity.  At the lower end the pitch showed some natural cut. Used his slider at 69-70 and curveball with 11/5 rotation at 64-66 effectively for strikes.  Changeup is thrown at near fastball velocity at 73-74.  Did not walk a batter and allowed just two hits in three innings of work.  Struck out three and induced weak contact routinely.

Tyler Stabley, 2019, LHP, Red Lion Area HS
5-foot-9, 150-pound lefty will get outs at the next level.  Has repeatedly shown the ability to change speeds effectively and keep hitters off balance.  Sat 77-78 out of a 3/4 arm slot while showing the ability to also drop down for a different look at his fastball.  Slider at 74-75 and curveball at 64-65 with 1/7 shape show good separation.  Stabley's best pitch is his changeup at 70-71 which he will throw in any count.  The pitch is thrown with excellent arm speed and comes out of the same window as his fastball.  

Ben Writer, 2018, RHP, Dallastown Area HS (PA)
6-foot-5, 200-pounder with a very projectable frame.  Sat 78-81 with some cut action to his fastball out of a high 3/4 arm slot.  Fairly new to the position, he is long in the back and far from max effort in his delivery.  Could easily significant velocity gains moving forward.  11/5 breaking curveball at 64-65 shows tight rotation and good depth.  The pitch repeatedly got swing throughs and weak contact. Also displayed an occasional changeup at 70-71 while slowing his arm speed significantly. 

ANALYSIS SCHEDULE

7/20 Complete Results & Top Performers
7/21 Red Team (Pitcher Onlys)
7/22 Red Team (Two-way Prospects)
7/23 Red Team (Position Players)
7/24 Navy Team (Pitcher Onlys)
7/25 Navy Team (Two-way Prospects)
7/26 Navy Team (Position Players)
7/27 Team PBR (Pitcher Onlys)
7/28 Team PBR (Two-way Prospects)
7/29 Team PBR (Position Players)